LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



.i,f" 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



I 



oi.n copp's iiipi 



AMI 



lUklAl. GROUND; 



WITH 



STORICAL SKnTClinS, 



E. McDonald, 



S U 1' K K I N T E N U i: N T , C O P H ' S 1 1 1 L L , 
JANUARY 1, 1879. 






BOSTON: 

W. F. Brown & Company, Printers, 

1 13 Franklin Street. 



f13 



OLD lOrr'S HILL AM) r.lKIAL (^KOINI), 

wmi 

HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 



Copp's IIiLr, 



It is a fact not often called to mind, perhaps, that, of the three 
hills from which Boston took one of her popular names, and from 
which one of her main thoroughfares is named, no one retains its 
original form. Fort Hill has disappeared, and the name given to 
that locality serves merely to puzzle the young generation. Beacon 
Hill has long ;5ince lowered its summit, upon which glowed the fires 
from which it took its name. And not even Copp's Hill has been 
spared : seven feet have been taken from its summit, and Snowhill 
street has been cut through its western border. Like Boston, Copp's 
Hill has been known by three popular names: the first, Millield, 
or Windmill Hill, was so called because in 1632 "The Windmill, 
which was used to grind the settlers' corn, was brought from Cam- 
bridge and placed upon the summit. This was the first windmill 
erected in the town." It was afterwards called Snow Hill, and then 
Copp's Hill, which name it bears at the present time; but it is not 
known when the hill first took its present name. It was so called 
from William Copp, who owned a house and lot in the south-east 
corner near Prince street. Mr. Copp's realty is thus recorded on 
page 15, in the "Original Book of Possession" of the town of 
IJoston, now kept in the archives of the city at the City Hall : 

" The possessions of William Copp within the Limits of Boston: 
One house and Lott of half an acre in the Mill Pond, bounded with 
Thomas Buttolph south cast ; John Button north east, The Marsh on 
the south-west ; and the River on the north-west." The above is not 
dated, but there is reason to believe it was entered in 1644. 

In the Probate Oltice for the County of Suffolk, there is a record 
of the will of William Copp, (Jordwainer. It was dated October 31, 
166^, and proved April 27, 1O70. .\mong the items of bequest are 



Old Copp^s Hill and Burial Ground. 



the following : " I give to my daughter Ruth my great kettle, and 
little pot, and chaffen dish." " I give to Lydia my little kettle and 
great pot." In the inventory is a line appraising " i hour-glass and 
frying-pan, 12 shillings." The amount of the inventory was almost 
;^iio, which was quite a large sum nearly two centuries ago. His 
wife's name, Judith, is spelt Goodeth on the grave stone, and also in 
his will. 

The appearance of Copp's Hill is very different to-day from what 
it was at the time of the revolution. At that time the hill terminated 
abruptly on the north-west side in a rugged cliff, almost inaccessible 
from the water side. Southerly, the ground fell away in an easy 
descent to the foot of North Square and the shore of the Mill Pond, 
while to the eastward a gradual slope conducted to the North 
Battery. The beach at the foot of the Headland, opposite Charles- 
town, was made into a street with earth taken from the summit of 
the hill, which was where Snowhill street crosses it. This made 
Lynn street, our Commercial street extension, and afforded a contin- 
uous route along the water. Going north, the rising ground at 
Richmond street indicates the beginning of the ascent. The foot of 
the hill, at the north-easterly side, went in old times by the name of 
New Guinea, on account of its having been exclusively inhabited by 
the colored people. 

Copp's Hill in 1630 is thus described by Dr. Snow in the History 
of Boston, p. 105: "The hill at the north, rising to the height of 
about fifty feet above the sea, presented then on its north-west brow 
an abrupt declivity, long after known as Copp's Hill steeps. Its sum- 
mit, almost level, extended between Prince and Charter streets towards 
Christ Church ; thence south, a gentle slope led to the water, which 
washed the south side of Prince street below, and the north side 
above Thacher street as far as Salem ; eastward from the church, a 
gradual descent led to the North Battery, which was considered the 
bottom of the hill. South-easterly the slope was still more gradual, 
and terminated at the foot of North square, leaving a knoll on the right, 
where at present stands the meeting-house of the Second Church." 

Hudson Point. 
Copp's Hill rose gradually from Hudson's Point (which was at the 
north-east corner of the Hill,) so called from Francis Hudson, the 
Ferryman. The Ferry was between Gee's noted Ship Yard and 



Olil Copfi Hill irn.l Burial GrotinJ. 



Hudson's Point. The Ship Yard, was owned by Mr. Joshui Gee, 
who also owned the land where the Gas House is, and nearly all the 
land on Copp's Hill between Charter, Prince, and Snowhill streets. 
At this Point, Annie Pollard, the first white woman who landeil in 
Boston, jumijed ashore. She lived to be nearly 105 years old. It is 
also noted as the place where the British landed their wounded at 
the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was afterwards used as a fortification, 
and called the North Battery. The work erected by the British on 
Copp's Hill, — from which the British opened a tremendous fire on the 
Americans, which, with the fire that came from the fleet, was enough 
to appall even veteran troops, and from which the shells came that 
set Charlestown on fire, — was on the summit of the eminence which 
was some seven feet higher than at the present time, and was located 
near the south-west corner of the Cemetery, nearly opposite the Rev. 
Mr. Ede's Tomb. "When visited in the year 1776, it was found to 
consist of a few barrels of earth which formed parapets, and three 
Twenty-Eight Pounders mounted on carriages, were found spiked 
within. The Battery was covered with a small earth-work to the rear, 
designed for the infantry." (An old engraving, which the writer has 
seen, represents a row of tents covering the side of the Hill between 
the summit and Charter street.) All traces of these works were re- 
moved in 1807, when the summit was lowered. Copps Hill was visited 
by Christian people nine years before the settlement of Boston. The 
first visit of the Plymouth Company to Copp's Hill was in 162 1, and is 
thus referred to by Prince, in his chronolog}', 162 1. "The Governor 
chuses 10 men with Squanto and two other savages, to go in the 
siiallop, Tuesday, Sept. 18 ; at midnight, the tide serving, we set sail ; 
ne.vt day got into the bottom of Massachusetts Bay, about 20 leagues 
north from Plymouth, and anchor ne.xt morning, we land under a clitT 
(Copp's Hill.) The sachem of this place is Abbatimwat, whereof 
the present sachem is Josiah Qunicy, Junior." 

From Copp's Hill, Burgoyne and (Minton witiu-sscd the fight on 
P.unker Hill, and directed the Battery. 

.\fler the surrender f)f Quebec, the North Kndcrs made an unex- 
ampled bonfire on Copp's Hill, — '"45 Tar Barrels, 2 ("ords of Wood, 
a mast, spars, and boards, with 50 lbs of powder were set in a blaze; 
ihis, with a similar illumination on I-'ort Hill, was paid for by the prov- 
ince, together with 32 Gallons of Rum, and much Beer." Nov. 5th, 
1765, the celebration of Popes day was celebrated by a union of the 



Old Copp^s Hill and Burial Ground. 



rival factions, who met in amity, and refreshed themselves under 
Liberty Tree, before proceeding to Copp's Hill, as was customary. 

A portion of Copp's Hill, before it was so densely built upon, was 
used as a Promenade Ground, and a place of recreation, by the 
North Enders. On Charter street, opposite the gate of the Cemetery, 
still stands one of the old houses, belonging to Mr. John B, Johnson, 
which not only has celebrated its Centennial, but still retains the 
marks of the British bullets. Paul Revere lived and died on Char- 
ter street, at the west side of Revere Place. On the corner of Sheafe 
and Salem streets, still stands the house where Robert Newman lived 
at the time that he hung the signal from the steeple of the North (or 
Christ Church.) 

On Hull street still stands the Old Hart's House, and also the Gal- 
loupe House. The Galloupe House was erected in the year 1724, 
about 154 years ago, by a Mr. Clough ; it was purchased by Mr. Ben- 
jamin Gallop (afterwards called Galloupe) in 1772 ; he died in 1776, 
just after the Declaration of Independence. The Estate afterwards 
became the property of his youngest son, Richard, and, at his death 
it descended to his youngest daughter, who married Mr, William 
Marble, a well known decorator of Boston, and it was sold by him in 
1877, a short time after the death of his wife, to the present owner. 
This house was occupied by British Troops in 1775. Its timbers 
were cut in the vicinity of Copp's Hill. 

At the foot of Hull street, stands the North Church (or Christ 
Church,) from the steeple of which were shown the Signal lights of 
Paul Revere, by Robert Newman, to notify Colonel Conant and 
others, who waited on the Charlestown shore, as to which way the 
British would go, by land or sea. The church was erected in 1723, 
and is the oldest public building in Boston, with the exception of the 
old State House, which, however, has been very much altered. The 
Bible, Prayer Books, and Communion silver, were given by King 
George the Second, in 1733, and are now in use. The Chime of 
Eight Bells connected with the Church is the oldest Chime in Amer- 
ica. They were brought from England in 1744. They may still be 
heard on each Sunday in the year, as in ye olden time. When Charles 
River bridge was opened on the 17th of June, 1786, they joined 
with the guns on Copp's Hill and on Bunker Hill, in celebrating 
the union of the two towns. The figures of the Cherubim in front 
of the Orsfan and the Chandeliers were taken from a French Vessel 




ii 



m/- 



"§ 






I II I ( HI ' • Mill < III I ' II 



Olil Copp's Hill and Burial Ground. 



by the Privateer "Queen of Hungary," and presented to this Church 
in 1746, by Captain Grushea. The Church also contains a Ikist of 
W'asliington, which was the first that was ever made of the Father of 
our Country 

Tlie first Sunday School in America was established in connec- 
tion with this Church in 1815, in the old Academy next north of the 
Church, by the Rev. Asa Eaton and Shubeal Bell. The tombs under 
the Church number thirty-three. In one of them were interred Rev. 
Timothy Cutter, D.D., the first rector of the Church, and his wife 
Eliza, both of whom died at the good old age of 81 years. In tomb No. 
20, once rested the remains of the gallant Major Pitcairn, but they 
have long since been transferred to Westminster Abbey. 

The following anecdote was related by the Rev. Dr. Eaton, in his 
Centennial sermon delivered Dec. 28th, 1823. "The following fact, 
wiiich in some ages would have e.xcited the superstitious veneration 
of ignorance and bigotry, may be worth recording. Some years since, 
in 1S12, while the workmen were employed in the Cemetery (under 
the Church) building tombs, one of them found the earth so loose 
that he settled his bar into it the whole length with a single effort. 
The Superintendent directed him to proceed till he found solid 
earth. About six feet below the bottom of the cellar he found a 
coffin' covered with coarse linen cloth sized with gum, which on boil- 
ing became white, and the te.vture as firm as if it had been recently 
woven. Within this coffin was another, protected from the air in a 
similar manner, and the furniture was not in the least injured by time. 
The Hesh was sound, and somewhat resembling that of an Egyptian 
.Mummy. The skin when cut appeared like leather. The sprigs of 
evergreen, deposited in the coffin, resembled the broad-leafed myrtle ; 
the stem was elastic, the leaves fresh, and apparently in a state of 
vegetation. I-rom the inscription it was found to be the body of Mr. 
Thomas, a native of New England, who died in Bermuda. Some of 
his family were among the founders of Christ Church. His remains 
when discovered had been entombed about 80 years. They were 
placed in the north-east corner of the Cemetery, and the stone so 
long concealed from observation was placed over them, but has since 
been lost or stolen. One of the tombs was built soon after the 
Church, in the year 1732. It is said that Gen. Gage witnessed the 
burning of Charlestown and the battle of Bunker Hill from the stee- 
|)I(.: of this CMuirch. " Kcv. William Montague, rector of this Chuicl; 



8 Old Copp^s Hill mid Burial Gtotmd. 

was the person who received the ball taken from the body of General 
Warren, who was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill." Tlie first 
rector of the Church, Rev. Timothy Cutter, lived on the corner of 
Tileston and Salem Streets, The spire rises to the height of 175 
feet. 

On the 17th, of October, 1878, a Tablet with the following in- 
scription was placed on the Tower of this Church : 

The Signal Lanterns of 

PAUL REVERE, 

Displayed in the Steeple of this Church, 

April, 18, 1775, 

Warned the country of the march 

OF THE British Troops 

to Lexington and Concord. 

The Ancient and Honoraljle Artillery Company used this Hill on one 
occasion for parade and drill during the Revolution, having been 
refused admittance to the Common, the place, in which, according to 
their Charter, they had a right to drill. During the Revolution it is 

"Inl775, before the Artillery Company suspended its meetings, the Common 
■was occupied by the British army, and the Artillery Company were refused 
admittance. Capt. Bell, therefore, marched to Copp's Hill. Soon after the 
bridge over Charles River was built, there was a complaint against the street 
at the foot of this hill. It was supposed the proprietors of that part of the 
hill enclosed from Snowhill Street, ought to repair the wharf and street at 
their own expense. This led to inquiry, in town meeting, to whom it belonged ; 
some one said it belonged to this Company. Col. Jackson, their Treasurer, 
was sent for, and declared that he considered it their property, a mortgage 
upon it to them having long since run out, and that Capt. Bell, with the Com- 
pany, had taken possession of it in 1775. Capt. Bell was then interrogated by 
Col. Dawes, the Moderator : Why did you march your Company to Copp's 
Hill? Answer : I was prohibited from entering the Common ; conceiving this 
bill to be the property of the Company, I marched them there, as a place no 
one had a right to exclude them from. Question by Moderator : supposing a 
party of British troops should have been in possession of it, and should have 
forbidden you entrance, what would you have done ? Answer : I would have 
chiarged bayonets, and forced my way as surely as I would force my way into 
my dwelling bouse, if taken possession of by a gang of thieves. The late Col. 
Wm, Tudor, who was then present said : " Mr. Moderator, the hill clearly be- 
longs to that Company, and I wish they would execute a quit claim deed of it 
to me for a fair price," The mortgage was discharged afterwards, and the 
straet r^pairpcj by jtbe town." 



Old Copfs Hill and Burial Ground. 



saitl a cordon of troops ranj^etl from Copp's Hill to the South Battery. 
Salutes were fired from Copp"s Hill at the completion of the Charles 
River Bridge to Charlestown, in 1786. It is said that on Jan. 24, 1793, 
an o.\ was roasted on this Hill for the feast in honor of the French 
Revolution, and the horns were taken and placed on top of a pole 
some 60 feet high before raising it in Liberty Square. Sir William 
I'hips, who lived on the westerly corner of Salem and Charter streets, 
and for whom I'hips' Place was named, arrived at Boston on the 14th 
of May, 1692, with the new Charter for Massachusetts, and a com- 
mission constituting him Governor. It is said that on this corner 
Major ritcairn breathed his last, at the residence of Gov. Phips. On 
Charter street was born the hero of the Esse.x, who took such an 
active part in the Revolutionary War. 

On the corner of Prince and Salem streets, stands what is said to 
be the oldest apothecary shop in the city : it was erected by Robert 
t'ennelly, in January-, 1797, and has been occupied for the past thirty- 
five years by the well-known druggist, Henry D. Fowle. 

The British in 1775 had a battery on the corner of Prince and 
Salem streets. \x\ Salem street was the printing-office of Zachariah 
Fowle; in which was printed the Old "Massachusetts Spy" in 1770. 
The Second Baptist Society held their first services in a house on 
Sheaf street ; in 1743 the first services held by the Methodist Society 
in a hired room in lioston, was held on the south side of Sheaf 
street. 

John Hull, the coiner of the first New England shilling, is said to 
have coined it at his house in Sheafe street. The Old North Meet- 
ing House, the second Church built in Boston, erected in North 
Square, was erected in 1650, destroyed 1676. In North Square was 
the mansion of the Clark family (afterwards occupied by Sir Harry 
Vane; and that of the Hutchingson family, built by the Father of 
Governor Hutchingson about the year 17 10. The first Universalist 
Church was built on the corner of Bennett and Hanover streets. 

"The remains of an arch was found while laying the foundation 
of a house on the east side of Henchman street, some forty years 
ago, and may still be seen in the cellar of the house opposite Hench- 
man's lane. It was part of a Brick arch of large dimensions that, 
at the time of the French wars, was built by Capt. John Grushea, 
who commanded the British Privateer "Queen of Hungary," and 
was used for a place of deposit for captured goods. The opening 



Old Copp's Hill and Burial Groun'd. 



was at the water edge, and was discovered about the time that Lynn 
street was filled in ; at this point there was originally a high bank." On 
Unity street still stands the Brick Mansion House bequeathed by Dr. 
Franklin to his dear sister, Jane Mecam, and by her in trust, to Rev. 
John Lathrop, D. D., and Benjamin Summers, for her daughter, Jane 
Collis, and at the death of her daughter, Jane Collis, to her grandson, 
Josiah Flagg, and great-grand-children Franklin and Sarah Green. 
On Prince street, opposite the Gas House, stands a brick mansion 
(now owned by John Gourly,) that has passed its centennial. This 
house was claimed erroneously to have been the house in which 
Major Pitcairn died ; it was afterward occupied by the father and 
uncle of our present City Clerk. 

Copp's Hill Burial Ground. 
Copp's Hill Burying Ground was the second place of interment, 
(King's Chapel being the first.) This ancient Cemetery is by no means 
a unit, although it appears so to a visitor at the present time. It is 
made up of four tracts of land, purchased at four different times, and 
was formerly known by distinct names for its different parts as fol- 
lows : The Old North Burying Ground, Hull street, or the Old North 
(the Cemetery where the Gasometer now stands was also called the 
Hull street Burying Ground; Charter street Burying Ground, and 
the New North Burying Ground.) The Cemetery is bounded on the 
north-east about 314 feet by Charter street. This street has been 
known by that name since 1708, and took its name from the Charter 
of King William 3d, under which Maine, Plymouth and Massachusetts 
formed but one Colony. 

On the north-west it is bounded by Snowhill street about 324 feet, 
above which the Cemetery rises some twenty feet, being buttressed 
by a heavy wall of masonry. On the south-west about 330 feet it is 
bounded by Hull street, which derived its name from John Hull, the 
famous mint-master, through whose pasture it was laid out ; on the 
north- east, it is bounded by Marshal place, about 120 feet, on the 
north-east again, about 127 feet, by private property; and lastly, on 
the South East, about 123 feet, also by private property, and the 
Hull street Primary School. The oldest portion, that which has been 
generally called the North Burial Ground, is situated at the north- 
easterly part of the present enclosure, and is the ground concern- 
ing which the following order was passed, Nov. 5th, 1660. " It is 




Oil) Coi'i's Hii.i- Hi;kyini; CIkoind. 



Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground. \ i 



ordcrcfl tliat the (^Ici Burial place be wholly deserted for some con- 
venient season, and the new place appointed for burying only made 
use of, and was recorded Suff. Deeds, lib. 53, fol. 153, as follows: 
'John IJaker and Daniel Turell, sell to the selectmen of Boston, a lot 
of land, 294 feet on the northerly side, 252 feet on the southerly 
siile ; in breadth on the easterly end, 126 feet. Hutting on the way 
that leadeth from the new meeting-house in Hoston towards Charles- 
town Ferry, on the north ; on the land of Wm. Phillips, southerly ; 
on the land of John Haker and Daniel Turell, easterly ; and on the 
way that leadeth from Senter haven to Charlestown Ferry, westerly.' " 
and was dated Feb. 20th, 1659-60, and was not recorded until sev- 
enty six years afterwards. The south-easterly of this part was that 
chicriy used for the burial of the Town's people, while that near 
Snowhill street st-rved for the last resting place of the slaves and 
freed persons. The date of the first interment is unknown ; it was 
probably used soon after it was purchased. The oldest inscription 
is dated 1661 and 1678. It is a double stone, which was recently dug 
out of the earth by the present Superintendent of the ground, and had 
probably been covered over with the washings from the hill more 
than a century ago, and is si.\ months older than any other original 
inscription in the ground. 

The only entrance to the enclosure was then Irom Charter street, 
for, to the south-west of it, was situated the pasture of Judge Sewall, 
which really belonged to his wife, Hannah (the daughter of John 
Hull) as part of her inheritance, "Mrs. Sewall's father, the famous 
mint-master, where the New England shillings were coined more 
than two centuries ago, his daughter Hannah is said to have had 
for her marriage portion her weight in silver shilling pieces struck 
from the New Fngland die." When this piece of land was con- 
veyed to the Town, the Ancient and Honorable .Artillery Company 
advanced a claim upon it under a mortgage held by that organiza- 
tion ; but the dispute was adjusted in a satisfactory manner, and the 
Town proceeded to use the land for the purpose for which it had 
been purchased. Some forty odd years after the first purchase of 
land, it was found necessary to enlarge the Burying Ground, and the 
tract of land adjoining it and fronting on Hull street, was purchased 
by the 'I'own, of Judge Sewall and his wife. (SutT. Deeds, lib. 25, fol. 
97. The Deed is dated December 17111, 1707 ; in consideration of 
jCs°- P'*''' '"^"f' t'^*^ release from payment of an annual quit-rent of 40 



12 Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground. 

shillings for a certain cedar swamp in Brookline, Samuel Sewall and 
wife Hannah, sold the Town of Boston, land for enlarging the north 
burying place. It adjoined said place, northerly, measuring 250 feet; 
southerly it bounded on Hull street, measuring across, in a straight 
line to the burying place, 140 feet. On Hull street it measured 180 
feet; westerly on Snowhill street, 170 feet. These purchases com- 
prise what is now called the Old North Burying Ground. The north- 
westerly side formerly communicated with Lynn street by a steep and 
very abrupt bank, which will be well remembered by the boys of 
fifty years ago, who used to claim that territory for their play-ground ; 
and perhaps the memory of the boys and girls of that date may carry 
them back to the wishing-rock, which stood so conspicuously at the 
corner of Snowhill and Charter streets, and the time when they 
formed in groups, wished, and then went round the rock singing. It 
is related that on one occasion while the children were going round 
the rock, as usual singing, the ground suddenly gave way, and several 
of them were precipitated into a well underneath their feet, which 
no one remembered anything about, and was rescued by some men 
standing on the street near by. 

The portion of Snowhill street, now leading from Hull to Charter 
street, was merely a foot-path, or private passage, until some forty 
years ago. In the year 1832, Mr. Jacob Hall and others, purchased 
a portion of land bordering on the north-west side of the old ground, 
and by permission of the city authorities, established the Hull Street 
Cemetery (on the site of the gasometer,) and erected rows of tombs ; 
at the same time relinquishing their right to the above-named por- 
tion of Snowhill street, and making an arrangement with the city 
that the street should be a public walk or mall 33 feet in width. 
This Cemetery was discontinued in 1853, and the remains were re- 
moved to Mount Hope Cemetery, in Feb. 1861. Where Snowhill 
street now is, there was formerly a row of tombs with steps at each 
end of them, and a walk from one end to the other over the tombs ; 
when the street was cut through, these tombs and tablets were re- 
moved inside of the fence. In 1809 another addition was made by 
the purchase of land known as Jonathan Merry's pasture, and called 
the New North Burying Ground, and is now known as the Small 
Ground. The deed was dated Dec. 18, 1809, and was recorded in 
lib. 231, fol. 199, and is as follows: For $10,000, Benj. Weld and 
wife Naby sold the town of Boston a parcel of land, bounded south- 



Old Copp's Hill and Burial Groiuid. 13 

west on Hull Street 148 feet; north-west on the burial ground, 148 
feet and 6 inches; north-east on land of Goodwin and others, 153 
feet; south-east on land of Jonathan Merry, 123 feet: being land 
conveyed to Weld by Merry, October 21st, 1809, recorded lib. 230, 
fol. 191." On the south corner of the same fronting on Hull street, 
stood the old Gun House of the Columbian Artillery. 55 tombs were 
built in 1814, around the sides of this new enclosure, by Hon. Chas. 
Wells, and, after the removal of the old Gun House, Edward Bell 
built 15 tombs on its site in the fall of 1827. This yard was laid out 
in ranges, and several bodies were allowed to be interred in the same 
grave. The first person interred in this Small Ground, was John Rich- 
ardson, a person drowned a few days before, on July 6th, 18 10. The 
old Gun House was removed to this lot by vote of the town in 18 10, 
soon after the purchase of the land. In 18 19, Hon. Charles Wells was 
allowed to build 34 tombs in a small grave-yard bounded by the old 
and new burying grounds and Marshal place, and fronting on Charter 
street, and was called the Charter Street Burying Ground, and was 
recorded as follows: (Sufif, Deeds, lib. 262, fol. 296) : "June 3d, 1819, 
John Bishop, of Medford, sold to Charles Wells, for $1,051.30, land 
in Charter street, bounded north-east on said street 20 feet; north- 
westerly, 70 feet on the burying ground 20 feet wide ; then continuing 
50 feet more, 28 feet wide ; south-west 28 feet on land formerly of Dr. 
Wm. Clark, but now a burying-ground : then south-east 50 feet, 28 
feet wide, then continuing 70 feet more 20 feet wide, on land former- 
ly owned by William Fowle. It was land which Stephen Gorham as 
administrator of Nathaniel Holmes, sold to said Bishop, Dec. 14th, 
1 79 1, recorded lib. 184, fol. 59. It has now become part of the Cem- 
etery, the fence dividing the two grounds having been taken down 
some twenty years ago. The eastern limit is overlooked by a block of 
houses which separated the Cemetery from Salem street and its out- 
lying courts. Everywhere the enclosure rises above the surrounding 
territory ; and the remainder of the ground is surrounded by a smooth 
granite wall topped by a neat iron fence. The houses which sur- 
round the ground are mostly owned by those living in them, and 
with few exceptions, are kept neat and clean. The surrounding 
streets are so little used that the grass grows among the paving-stones 
and in some parts it nearly covers them. At the north and north- 
west boundaries there is an open space, through which part of 
Charlestown Heights and the Navy Yard are visible ; and by taking 



14 Old Copp''s Hill and Burial Ground. 

a stand near the centre of the hill the monument on Bunker Hill 
becomes visible, looming up in solitary grandeur, and bringing to mind 
the words of the great orator, when the corner-stone of this monu- 
ment was laid by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, June 17th, 
1825 : " Let it rise ! let it rise ! till it shall meet the sun in its coming 
— let the earliest light of the morning gild it, and the parting day 
linger and play on its summit !" In the centre of the ground is a rod 
square of land which was conveyed by Samuel Sewall and his wife 
Hannah, to Joshua Gee, the noted ship-builder (who was the father 
of the distinguished Clergyman who was the assistant and successor 
of the famous Cotton Mather (from 1723 to 1748,) in consideration 
of two and thirty shillings paid them, being part of their pasture ad- 
joining to the north burying-place, in which parcel of ground Mrs. 
Mary Thatcher now lyeth buried ; bounded northerly by said burying- 
ground, and on all other sides by the land of said Samuel and Han- 
nah Sewall. Said Joshua Gee was to make and maintain one half 
the fence, and have no right of way except through the North bury- 
ing-ground. This Mrs. Thacher was the wife of Judah Thacher of 
Yarmouth, and died on Nov. 30th, 1708, aged 68 years. Her grave- 
stone still stands in the north-east corner of said rod of land. There 
were no restrictions in regard to its use, and it was bought by Mr. 
Gee, because of a request of his wife that she might be laid away from 
the multitude, and the said deed is recorded with Suffolk Deeds, 
lib. 25, fol. 174. About four generations ago, it fell into the hands 
of old Deacon Moses Grant, of Revolutionary fame, who was one of 
those who helped to throw the tea overboard ; and, at the risk of 
his life helped to take two pieces of cannon away from the British 
lines. This enclosure now holds the remains of three generations of 
the Grant family, and is now owned by the family of Deacon Moses 
Grant, the great temperance lecturer. As said before, there are no 
restrictions with regard to its use ; a dwelling-house or blacksmith 
shop could be erected on the spot, and the right of way across the 
cemetery is construed by common law to mean a path broad enough 
for cart wheels to pass over. There is within the enclosure two 
hundred and thirty tombs, two of which belong to the city. The 
one near Charter street was fitted and prepared for children in June 
1833. On the 27th of May, 1833, fifty dollars was appropriated by 
the city authorities towards purchasing trees for ornamenting the 
ground, and from that date the whole appearance of the hill began 



Old Copp's Hill iVid Burial Ground. 15 

to assume a change, and the hill resumed its ancient popularity. 
Those trees have all been removed, and others of more appropriate 
character, numbering one hundred nd eighty, have taken their 
places, which make a very agreeable shade on a sultry day to the 
visitor, as well as to the children who come there to play ; the hill is 
visited not only by residents of the city, but by persons from all 
parts of the globe. 

In the year 1838, new avenues and walks were laid out, and grave- 
stones were removed for that purpose, thus affording opportunities 
for pleasant promenades, which are by no means neglected. Con- 
siderable .care was used when laying out the paths to place the 
tombstones as near as possible to their original positions. During 
the past few years the Hill has been very much neglected, and boys 
have been allowed to run wild through the grounds during six months 
of the year. No one having had charge during the winter months, 
the West and North End Boys used to meet and imitate the North 
and South End's on Pope-day, it frequently requires a squad of police 
to drive them away; but this has changed. The Board of Health to 
whom was given the charge of the cemetery, have appointed a man 
to take charge of the grounds during the whole year ; because of the 
numerous complaints made by the neighbors and old residents of the 
North End. They have also concreted the down grade paths, which 
was very much needed, as the rain had gullied out the paths in some 
places to the depth of a foot, and in others had laid bare the top of 
the tombs which run beneath the paths; the appearance of the 
grounds is now very much improved. 

The oldest stone placed originally in the ground was dug up dur- 
ing the past summer by the present Superintendent, where it had 
been covered by the washings from the hill, and is to be found near 
the Shaw monument, and was erected in memory of the grandchil- 
dren of William Copp, and is older by six months than any stone 
previously found in the ground. Upon it is the following inscription, 
"David, son to David Copp, and Obedience, his wife, aged 2 weeks ; 
Dyed Dec. 22, 1661." Also, "Thomas, son to David Copp, and Obedi- 
ence, his wife, aged 2 years and 3 Quarters ; Dyed July ye 25, 1678." 
On another stone recovered at the same time, may be found the fol- 
lowing inscription : "Jonathan Copp, son of David and Patience Copp, 
aged 12 years and 2 months; Died Ocr. ye 22d, 1721." The Super- 
intendent, in Dec. 1878, on opening an old tomb, discovered the fol- 



1 6 Old Copp^s Hill and Burial Ground. 

lowing headstones which were not mentioned in any of the catalogues 
published. ''Recompense Wads worth, A. M. First Master of the 
Grammar Free School at the North End of Boston. Aged about 24 
years; Died June the 9th, 1713 " The tomb had not been opened 
for eighteen years, and it seems that the undertaker who last closed 
it, instead of using the old plank covering, which was probably rotten, 
and rather than renew it, took standing gravestones to close the 
aperture before filling in the top earth. On searching the records, he 
found the following entries : "March 11, 1711-12. At Town Meet- 
ing — Voted, That there be a free gramrtiar school at the North End 
of Boston ; and Voted, That Captain Thomas Hutchinson, Colonel 
Adams Winthrop, Mr. John Ruck, Captain Edward Martyn, and 
Mr. Samuel Greenwood be the committee relating to building said 
schoolhouse. Voted, That the selectmen be requested to procure a 
suitable master for said school. March 9, 1712-13. Voted, That it 
be left with the selectmen, and they are empowered to introduce Mr. 
Recompense Wadsworth at the North, and to allow him sixty pounds 
for one year." (This building was erected on Bennett street, in 17 13. 
Master Wadsworth died six months after receiving his appointment.) 

Four more headstones were required to make the tomb entrance 
secure. They were deciphered with some difficulty, as follows : — 

"Here lyes ye body of Mrs. Mary Welch, wife to Mr, Eben'r 
Welch, aged 21 years. Dec'd Septr ye 5th, 1730." 

"Ebenezer Welch, son to Ebenezer and Mary Welch. Aged 3 
week and 2 days. Deceased Septr ye 6th, 1730." 

"Here lyes ye body of Sarah Goldthwait, wife to John Goldthwait, 
aged 35 years and 2 months. Dec'd Octr ye 31st, 17 15." 

"John the son of John and Hannah : Ruck, aged 18 days. Died 
the 4th day of Septr. 1701." This makes 10 Tablets which the 
present Superintendent has recovered since his appointment in May, 
1878. 

The next oldest stands on the centre of the hill. It was found in 
a tomb some years ago, and although somewhat chipped upon its 
edge, there can easily be read upon its surface: "Mary Rind, aged 

died ye 15 August, 1662," and "William Rind, aged about one 

year, died ye 14 February, 1666, the children of Arthur and Jane 
Rind." But these slabs are not the oldest in the enclosure. There 
is one finished on the edges with ornamental curves and crowned 
with two cherubs of the Angel of Death, that is sacred to the memory 



Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground. 17 

of Grace Berry, wife of Thomas Berr}', who died at Plymouth, May 
17, 1625, aged about 58 years; and Avhose body was removed to 
Boston in the year 1659, when Copp's Hill was first opened as a 
place of burial. This stone is supposed to be the oldest in New 
England. It bears a coat of arms, and is marked with the contact 
of British bullets fired at it during the Revolutionary War, when it 
was used as a target.* On the highest point of the hill is a stone 
bearing the name of John Milk, for whom Milk street was named. 
He died in 1756, at the age of about 47 years. Near by rest the 
mortal remains of George Worthylare, together with those of his 
wife and child. He w^as one of the first keepers of Boston light, 
and he with his wife and child were drowned in the harbor while 
sailing, on the 3rd of November, 17 18. He was 45 years old, his 
wife was 40, and his daughter 13, and upon a triple stone, of very 
curious design and elaborate workmanship, the above facts are re- 
corded. It is said that Franklin wrote a poem on this event, which 
was so severely criticised by his father that he never again attempt- 
ed versification. Not far away, down the northern slope of the yard, 
is the tomb of Chief Justice Parker, a plain brick vault, covered with 
a heavy brown stone slab, and near by is the monument of Major 
Samuel Shaw, erected by Robert G. Shaw, his grandson, in 1848. 
Upon this shaft is inscribed a record of the events in the life and 
career of the Major. It would seem that he served throughout the 
Revolution as an officer; that on the 22d of February, 1781, he 
sailed from New York for Canton on the ship Empress, the first to 
sail from the United States for that port, as part owner and super- 
cargo ; that he was appointed Consul, by Washington, and that he 
died in 1794. Between this shaft and the Grant family tomb is a 
stone only a few inches in height, and so sunk into the ground that 
it almost escapes notice until one stumbles over it. It bears the 
name of Goodeth (Judith ?) Copp, who died on the 25th of May, 

* There has been considerable doubt as to the correctness of the date on 
this stone. In the month of July 1878, an old gentleman from the west, with 
his daughter and granddaughter, visited the hill for the purpose of finding 
the tombstone of one of their ancestors. In their possession w^as an old memo- 
randum book, yellow with age ; on the first page was a fac-simile drawing of 
this stone with the coat of arms, (without the bullets marks), and on the first 
and second page was an exact inscription of that on the Grace Beny slab, 
with a foot-note, stating when it had been removed from Plymouth. No 
record of this person's death can be found at City Hall. 



Old Copp^s Hill and Burial Ground. 



1670, at the age of 65 years. She was the wife of WilHam Copp, 
for whom the hill was named. While this memorial of her former 
existence still remains, and seems able to defy the elements for centu- 
ries to come, that which recorded the decease of her husband has 
disappeared, although stones sacred to the memory of other mem- 
bers of the Copp family are scattered about in several places. 

The tomb always first inquired after is that of the Mathers; it is 
near the Charter street gate, and is a simple vault of brick, upon 
which rests a heavy slab of brown stone, into which two separate 
squares of slate have been set ; one of )ecent date, and the other 
bearing the marks of age, with the following words, which are almost 
illegible : 

"Reverend Drs. Increase, Cotton and Samuel Mather were inter- 
red in this vault. 
'Tis the tomb of our fathers, Mather — Crockers. 

I. died Aug. 27, 1723. ^t. 84. 

C. died Feb. 13, 1727. ^t. 65. 

S. died June 27, 1785. ^t. 79." 
In addition to these clergymen the vault contains the bones of 
many of their descendants. It was last opened about twelve years 
ago, when the mortal remains of one of the Crockers were deposited 
under its arch, and at that time the relics of these ancient worthies 
were mingled in inextricable confusion. There is an air of quiet 
decay about the spot that is very suggestive of the transitory nature 
of all that is mortal. Over it large trees cast a semi-gloom that dis- 
courages the growth of grass or shrubbery ; and the tooth of time 
has gnawed deeply into both stone and brick. It is surrounded by 
a neat iron fence that has recently been painted, and stone curbing 
has been placed underneath, and inside the fence the ground has 
been newly sodded. By the mutations of family descent, the tomb 
is now owned by Miss Rebecca E. Parker, who wishes to maintain it 
in as good condition as possible, and at the same time to do nothing 
to destroy the sacred character of the property. This and the Ellis 
are the only tombs thus cared for, as far as can be seen, during the 
last forty years. The famous Napoleon Willow (gr.own from a slip 
brought by Captain Joseph Leonard from the tree at the grave of 
Napoleon at St. Helena, and transplanted here by Roland G. Ellis 
of Boston,) now shades another burial plat, and covers the monument 
and tomb of the Ellis family at the Charter Street Gate. 



Old Copp's Plill and Burial Groimd. 19 

Just where the older portion of the cemetery adjoins the newer, 
are the Greenwood tomb, in which lies the body of the eccentric 
Francis W. P. Greenwood, D. D., who, in the early part of the 
present century, was rector of King's Chapel, and who was in the 
habit of putting on his robes at his house on Portland Street, and 
proceeding to church in grand state, to the dismay of the old ladies 
and the amusement of the boys ; and the Dupre tomb, the most 
ornate in the enclosure, yet bearing so enigmatical an inscription 
that there are few who know what it means. On the main walk, 
near the front gate, is a broken slab, upon which the following is to 
be read : — 

"James Seward, grandson of James and Catherine Seward, 
died Sept. 27, 1792, get. 6 months. 

He bore a lingering sickness with patience, and met the King of 
Terrors with a smile." 

There are several stones in this neighborhood bearing the name of 
Seward, one of them commemorating Major Thomas Seward, who 
was an officer in the Continental army. Upon this is carved a cine- 
rary urn, a cannon, with cannon balls, and a setting siin. Another 
slab is ornamented with the angel of death bearing an hour-glass, 
and a skeleton seated on a skull, and carrying a scythe. On the slab 
covering the vault of Major John Ruddock, Esq., who died in 1772, 
at the foot of a long record of his work and worth, were once the 
words : 

"Time may eface this monumental stone, 
Hut time nor mallice can his worth dethrone 
For Villians living oft may buy a name. 
But virtue only swells posthumous fame." 

They contained a prophecy that has been fulfilled. A few inden- 
tations are all that remain of the words of praise and affection, nor 
would any one know what they had been, had they not been copied 
for preservation long years ago, by the late Thomas Bridgeman. 

Towards the north-west angle of the enclosure is a stone com- 
memorating the virtue of Capt, Thomas Lake, of whom it is inscribed 
that he was an eminently faithful servant of God, and one of a pub- 
lic spirit; that he was perfidiously slain by ye Indians at Kennebec, 
Aug. 14, 1676, and interred here ye 13 October following." A curi- 



20 Old Copp''s Hill and Burial Ground. 

ious reminder of the fate that overtook the worthy captain is a slit 
sawn deeply into the heavy slate, into which the bullets taken from his 
body were poured after they had been melted. Sacrilegious knives 
have hewn away the metal, so that there are only faint traces of it 
remaining ; still one can easily determine with what material the 
fissure had once been filled.* In the same locality is a stone, a 
huge block of slate, with one side smoothed, bearing the name of 
Nicholas Upshall, and also the information that he departed this life 
in August, 1666, aged 70 years. Among the early citizens of Bos- 
ton, he was a man of note, mainly for his charitable conduct. Be- 
cause he opposed the course pursued towards the Quakers, and did 
all he could to alleviate the distress of those of that persuasion who 
suffered persecution, he in turn became a martyr. His crowning 
ofTence was the bribing of the keeper of Boston jail to supply with 
food two Quaker women who were imprisoned, and who would other- 
wise have starved to death. For this act he was fined £20^ no incon- 
siderable amount two centuries ago, and banished from the colony. 
He went to Rhode Island and remained for six years, until Gov. 
Endicott had ceased to rule. Returning to Boston he furnished a 
room in his house for the free use of Quakers, and many were the 
Friends who enjoyed his hospitality. He was a man possessed of 
quite a large property, his real estate covering in 1637 the territory 
now bounded by Hanover and Richmond streets and the old water 
line, joining the terminus of the two thoroughfares. On this territory 
was his house, long known as the "Old Red Lyon " inn. His name 
stands twenty-third on the original list of the members of the An- 
cient and Honorable Artillery Company; he was a member of the 
church, and, as might be expected, he exerted considerable influence 
over the affairs of the infant town. In the northwest angle of the 
grounds is the tomb of Edmund Hartts, the builder of the old frigate 
Constitution. The spot is marked by a plain white stone, upon 
which is simply the name of him who sleeps below. Near by is the 
vault formerly owned by Christopher Gore, who was Governor of 
Massachusetts in 1810. On the other side of the walk is the monu- 
ment of Charles Jarvis, a physician who died in 1807. This memo- 

*Captain Lake was commander of the Ancient- and Honorable Artillery 
Company in the years 1662 and 1674 ; among other Past Commanders interred 
in this ground, may be mentioned the following : Captain Ealf Hart, Lieut. 
Colonel John Carnes, Captain Caleb Lyman, and Captain Edward Martyn. 



Old Copp''s Hill mid Burial Ground. 



rial is remarkable for the highly eulogistic epitaph which it bears. It 
might have been written by Sir Charles Grandison. Upon the west- 
ern rise of the hill is a memorial of Shem Drowne, Jr., who died 
May 6, 1770, at the age of 29 years. He placed the grasshopper on 
Faneuil Hall as a compliment to Faneuil, who had a grasshopper 
and vane similar, on the top of his summer-house, which stood on 
the summit of the hill (Pemberton hill), in the rear of his man- 
sion, which with the mansion and grounds were destroyed in 1835. 

Near the Drowne slab is a stone bearing the following words : ''In 
memory of Betsey, wife of David Darling. Died March 23, 1S09. 
Aged 43. She was the mother of seventeen children, and around 
her lie twelve of them. Two were lost at sea. Brother sextons, 
please to leave a clear birth for me near by this stone." Tradition 
has it that David Darling was at one time grave-digger here ; he was 
also sexton of the North church, and lived on Salem street. He 
died on the loth of September, 1820, and no regard was paid to his 
wishes, as he was buried in a Tomb in the same yard, and no one 
raised a monument to his memory. Near this spot was erected 
the Battery from which was fired the first shot at the Americans 
at Bunker Hill, and the shell that set Charlestown on fire. A stone 
that has withstood the assaults of wind and weather much more suc- 
cessfully than the imprint of British bullets, bears the following 
words : — " Here lies buried in a stone grave, ten feet deep. Captain 
Daniel Malcom, who departed this life October 23, 1769, aged 44 
years. A true son of Liberty. A friend to the public. An enemy 
to oppression. And one of the foremost in opposing the revenue 
acts of America." In February, 1768, Captain Malcom had a 
schooner arrive in the harbor, and as the story goes, he was deter- 
mined that his cargo, consisting of wines, should escape the unpopu- 
lar duties. Consequently, the vessel was detained and anchored 
about five miles from the town, among the islands in the harbor, and 
the wine, of which there were sixty casks, was brought up under 
cover of the night, guarded by parties of men armed with clubs. A 
meeting of the merchants and traders was subsequently held, at 
which the Captain presided, and it was determined by them not to 
import any English commodities, except such as should be required 
by the fisheries, for eighteen months. This incensed the officers and 
menials of the government very much ; but it was persisted in, and 
hence the remarkable inscription which was placed a little over a 



Old Copp''s Hill and Burial Groimd. 



year afterward upon the large memorial stone erected over his grave. 
This stone particularly attracted the attention of the British soldiery, 
and the marks of their bullets are very perceptible on its face. The 
stone marking the tomb of Andrew Eliot, D.D., bears his name, his 
age, 60 years, and the date of his death, Sept. 13, 1778, on one side, 
and a beautiful coat of arms on the other; and the next prominent 
object is the large tomb once used for the reception of the bodies of 
infants — a reminder of an age of intolerance. At the base is the 
entrance to the Sigourney tomb. 

Near the southwest corner of the burying ground is a slab, upon 
which irs the following inscription : " In memory of Captain Robert 
Newman, who died March 23, 1806, aged 51." 

Though Neptune's waves and Boreas' blast 

Have tossed me to and fro, 
Now, well escaped from all their rage, 

I'm anchored here below. 

Saftely I'll ride in triumph here, 

With many of our fleet. 
Till signals call to weigh again, 

Our Admiral, Christ, to meet. 

O, may all those I 've left behind 

Be wash'd in Jesus' blood, 
And when they leave this world of sin 

Be ever with their Lord." 

Nearly opposite on the Snowhill street side is the Peter Thomas 
Tomb. In this tomb is all that remains on earth of him who hung 
the lights in the steeple of the North Church, on the night of the 
ever to be remembered i8th of April, 1775. Paul Revere, for whom 
the signal was set, does not lie within these grounds, but the remains 
of Mrs. Mary Baker, a sister, are here interred. 

The following pathetic lines are appended to an inscription which 
tells the passer-by that Miss Hannah Langford died Nov. 19, 1796, 
aged 15 years and 6 months : 

"Nor youth nor innocence could save 
Hannah from the insatiate grave : 
But cease our tears, no longer weep, 



Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground. 23 

The little maid cloth only sleep, 
Anon she'll wake and rise again, 
And in her Saviour's arms remain." 

On a stone bearing the name of Mrs. Ammy Hunt, who died in 
1767, is the following stanza, evidently penned by some amatory 
swain : — 

"A sister of Sarah Lucas lyeth here. 
Whom I did love most dear ; 
And now her soul hath took its flight. 
And bid her spightful foes good-night." 

Burials have ceased, but interments in the vaults are of frequent 
occurrence ; about twenty have taken place within the present year ; 
among them was that of John Somes, a veteran North End lamp- 
lighter, whose body was placed near the Charter street side, in a 
tomb bearing the names of Ephraim and Larkin Snow. The interior 
of these places of sepulture are by no means cheerful, but they are 
not nearly so repulsive as might be expected. Raised as they are 
above the surrounding territory, they are as dry as the cellar of a 
well-drained house. A body deposited in one of them soon loses all 
offensive odor, and until the inevitable crumbling of the coffin occurs, 
there is nothing to offend either sight or smell. 

The date of five tombstones were altered by George Daracot when 
a boy, so as to make 1690 read 1620, 169! read i62g. Similar acts 
of vandalism were performed in other burying grounds in Boston 
and vicinity. The tombstones removed from where the paths were 
made, were placed in other parts of the ground near by, — thus 
utterly failing to accomplish their true end. Before this grand act 
of vandalism was perpetrated, petty deeds of the same character 
were very frequent. Stones were taken away to be used in the con- 
struction of chimneys, to build drains, to cover the mouths of tombs, 
and to place in the bottom of vaults for coffins to rest upon • a great 
many stones, however, have been recovered, and have been placed 
in the ground among their fellows. But the work of desecration has 
extended to the tombs ; several of which have at some time been 
controlled by enterprising undertakers, who have removed the re- 
mains once deposited to await a resurrection of a totally different 
character, and used the space thus obtained for the prosecution of a 



24 Old Copp^s Hill afid Bui-ial Ground. 

traffic, that of letting out temporary burial space, that at one time 
was far more lucrative than it is now. Among those thus rifled, is 
that of the Hutchinson family, situated near the southeast corner of 
the older portion of the cemetery, A square slab of sandstone cov- 
ers its mouth, and upon it is still to be seen the beautiful coat of 
arms with which the members of this high-bred race emblazoned their 
belongings. But the name of Hutchinson has been cut out, and that 
of Thomas Lewis put in its place, so that to the casual observer, or 
to one who knows nothing of Heraldry^ this memorial conveys an 
idea that is entirely false. In the vault beneath this tablet once 
rested all that was mortal of Thomas Hutchinson, father of the 
Governor, and of Elisha Hutchinson, grandfather of "His Excellency, 
the latter having fallen in an attack made by the Indians at Qua- 
boag in Brookfield, descendants of the famous Ann and her husband. 
Governor William. Now no one can tell where these sacred relics 
are, as they were removed long ago. To Thomas Hutchinson the 
North End is indebted for its first school-house ; he first proposed it 
at the Town Meeting, and afterwards paid for it out of his own 
funds. How grateful we have been for his generosity is shown from 
the fact, that the house now erected on the same lot is called the 
Elliot School-house, in honor of a former pastor of the New North 
Church. 

Another vault, that has been njisused in the same manner, bears a 
coat of arms that is remarkably well carved, and beneath this is an 
inscription apparently as legible as it was when it came fresh from 
the chisel. This memorial stone, like nine-tenths of all the others, 
is of slate, and, like them, it shows but little of the wear of the ele- 
ments, or of the lapse of time. It stands a short distance away 
from the main entrance towards the west, and is about three feet 
by two in size, with a thickness of less than two inches. Its armorial 
bearings are a coat of chain-mail, upon which is a breast-plate, sur- 
mounted by a helmet with its visor down. Upon the top of this is a 
swan crowned, and having a chain around its neck, and thence over 
its back. Ornamental scrolls surround this device, and on either 
side are clusters of domestic fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, 
corn, wheat, grapes, plums and cherries, all of which are to be rec- 
ognized at a glance. Within a space of less than two square feet is 
the following inscription : 

"Here lies the mortal part of William Clark, Esqr., an emi- 



Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground. 25 

nent merchant of this town, and an honorable councillor for the 
province, who distinguished himself as a faithful and affectionate 
friend ; a fair and generous trader ; loyal to his prince, yet, always 
zealous for the freedom of his country, a despiser of sorry persons 
and little actions, an enemy to priestcraft and enthusiasm ; ready to 
relieve and help the wretched, a lover of good men of various de- 
nominations, and a reverent worshipper of the Deity." 

Deterred by neither the beauty of the sculpture nor the eloquence 
of the epitaph, Samuel Winslow, who was at one time sexton of Rev. 
Dr. Neal's church, obtained possession of the vault, caused his name, 
with sublime coolness, to be inscribed above that of him for whom 
it had been prepared, ousted its original occupants, used the tomb 
for the temporary resting-place of those for. whom he was performing 
a portion of the funeral rites, and now it is supposed that he reposes 
there, awaiting his turn to again come to the light, brought thither 
by mortal or immortal hands. William Clark met with reverses in 
the French wars, losing forty sail of vessels, which so impaired his 
fortune and depressed his spirits that he died soon after. He was 
one of the original attendants of Christ Church, his dwelling on the 
corner of Garden court and Prince street was built of brick, and said 
be the finest of the day. Next is the tomb of his brother, Dr. John 
Clark, whose family gave seven generations of physicians in a direct 
line bearing the same name. 

Near the centre cf the hill, is the tombstone of William Mumford, 
who died Nov. 21, 17 18, aged 77 years. He was one of the most 
prominent members of the Quaker society. He was a stone-cutter 
and builder by trade. On July 10, 1694, he purchased a lot of land 
in Brattle Square, and built a brick meeting-house. This is said to 
have been the first brick church erected in Boston, and also the first 
Quaker Meeting-house in Boston. It was conveyed to trustees, with 
a part of the land, for the Quaker society of which he was a promi- 
nent member. He afterwards bought another lot in Congress street, 
on the 5th of January, 1707-8, on which he built another meeting- 
house, to which the society removed when they sold the one in Brat- 
tle Square. They used part of this same lot of land for a Burial 
Ground. Near by is the stone of John Soames, (a cooper,) who 
was one of the Trustees to whom Mumford conveyed the first meet- 
ing-house, and he was also a prominent member of the Quaker 



26 Old Copp's Hill and Bufial Groiuid. 

society. He died November i6th, 1700, in the fifty-second year of 
his age, and nine years before the society sold the first meeting- 
house. To the left of this stone, at a short distance, is a stone in 
memory of Captain John Pullin, for whom the headland at the 
northwest of Chelsea, fronting westerly on the harbor, was called. 

The first stone on the right as you go up the Hull street steps is a 
stone bearing a coat-of-arms, and is in memory of Edward Martyn, 
who, with Timothy Thornton and Thomas Hutchinson, was the com- 
mittee appointed to purchase the second addition to the cemetery. 
He was Captain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company 
in 17 15. 

At the southwest angle of the enclosure is the Mariner's Tomb, 
which was bought, and the monument erected in 1841, by the Rev. 
Phineas Stowe, mainly by money contributed by sailors. The^crew 
of the United States Sloop of War, Albany, contributed fifty-two 
dollars, and Martin Woodward, a sailor, collected some three hundred 
dollars from the merchants of Boston, for that purpose ; many a 
storm-tossed waif has found within its walls his last resting place. 

In the centre of the ground stands a building now used as a tool- 
house, which was built some thirty-five or forty years ago, for a 
chapel and receiving tomb ; at the north-east corner of this building 
may be found the tombstone of a well-known silversmith, upon 
which are the following lines : — 

"Death with his dart hath pierced my heart. 
While I was in my prime ; 
When this you see grieve not for me, 
'Twas God's appointed time. 

On Hull street side is the tomb of Colonel John Mountfort, who 
was breveted for gallantry at Plattsburgh, and was distinguished in 
the Florida wars. Next to the Hutchinson tomb is the tomb of 
Jonathan Mountford, (a brother of John,) who was a physician and 
apothecary. He resided at "Mountford's corner," and was one of 
the founders of the new brick church. The Mountford Coat of 
Arms, as represented on the family tomb, belonged to Hugo de 
Mountford, a Norman, who in 1066, commanded the cavalry of 
William the Conqueror, at the Battle of Hastings. Near this tomb 
is the tomb of Edward Carnes, who lived on Hull street, opposite 
the Small Ground ; Mr. John Weir presented to Mr. Carnes a Flag 



Old Copp^s Hill and Burial Ground. 27 

which he had worn on the occasion of Washington's visit to Boston, 
in 17S9, thinking he was a suitable person to have the same; Mr. 
Carnes wore it on the occasion of the great Jubilee, in 185 1, in 
presence of President Fillmore. It is now in the possession of his 
son, Captain Edward Carnes of Charlestown. 

Among the names that are apt to attract the attention of the close 
observer, are the following : 

John Milk and Mary Farmer ; 
William Beer and John Water ; 
Samuel Mower and Theodocia Hay; 
Elizabeth Tout and Thomas Scoot ; 
Marcy White and Mary Black ; 
Timothy Gay and Daniel Graves ; 
Charity Brown and Elizabeth Scarlet ; 
Ann Ruby and Emily Stone. 

On the tombstone of Eliza Swift are the following lines : 

" A witt's a feather, and a chief's a rod ;i 
An honest man's the noblest work of God." 

Near the Parker tomb is the slab of David Copp, who was a son 
of William Copp, and an Elder in Dr. Mather's Church. Near the 
Hull street gate, is the tombstone of Capt. Edward Rumney and 
wife. Captain Rumney served with distinction in the Revolutionary 
War. He was a member of St. Andrews Lodge, and charter mem- 
ber of St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter of Boston. His son Ed- 
ward, was Sailing Master in the U. S. Navy, and is honorably men- 
tioned in the official report of the capture of the English Sloop of 
War, Penguin, by the Hornet. Congress voted him a medal, March 
23d, 1815. 

It is estimated that over eight thousand persons have been buried 
in this ground. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Michael 
Dalton, who lives opposite the ground, for the great interest he has 
taken in the presevvation of these Historical Grounds. 

The writer takes this opportunity of thanking Messrs. John L. 
Stevenson, Roland Ellis, Albert Folsom, Benjamin Parks, and George 
Mountford, for the favors received. 

The following are among the authorities consulted : Shaw's His- 
tory of Boston, Shurtleff 's Topographical and Historical Description 



Old Copp''s Hill and Burial Ground. 



of Boston, Drake's Landmarks of Boston, Shaw's and Bowen's His- 
tory of Boston, and Dr. Eaton's Centennial Sermon, 

Copp's Hill Book of Epitaphs, prepared by W. H. Whitmore, con- 
taining two thousand Epitaphs may be found at the store of A. Wil- 
liams & Co., booksellers, No. 283 Washington street. 




OLD COPP'S HILL 



AND 



BURIAL GROUND; 



WITH 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES, 

BY 

E. McDonald, 

Superintendent, Copp's Hill. 



JANUARY 1, 1879. 



COPYRIGHT, 1879, BY E. MoDONALD, 



BOSTON : 

W. F. Brown & Company, Printers, 
1 13 Franklin Street. 



